For Newcomers - Des Moines Mennonite Church

Who We are

We are a congregation of 60 Anglo and Southeast Asian people coming from a variety of backgrounds and traditions. Most people find us warm and friendly. A sense of “community” and “family” is important in our theology and we try to live it out in practice. Even language barriers don’t keep us from worshipping together and caring for each other.

Our Mission Statement
    As followers of Jesus Christ we . . .
       seek God in worship
       model God’s love and peace in community
       nurture the next generation of God’s people
       serve those here and beyond our borders
       share God’s message of healing and hope
    so that all will find new life in the family of God.

Where We Come From Mennonite roots go back to 16th century Europe, where a small group of earnest seekers attempted to recover New Testament Christianity. Since that time Mennonites have spread around the world to over 60 countries. They reach out in the name of Christ through service, health care, missions and world relief.

Mennonites have much in common with all Christians, but place special emphasis on:
◊ Claiming Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
◊ Seeking to follow Jesus daily and totally in all areas of life.
◊ Being a biblical people, with a special focus on the Sermon on the Mount.
◊ Baptism for those who are old enough to commit themselves to Christ.
◊ Active love and nonviolence in response to conflict.

The Des Moines Mennonite Church started the mid 1950’s, prompted by the presence of young Mennonite men doing alternative service as conscientious objectors. Church involvement in resettlement of Tai Dam and Lao people in the late 1970’s led to a Tai Dam and Lao ministry by Ha Baccam, Pastor Emeritus.

Our activities include:

Year-round Christian Education for all ages
Personal growth and support in small groups and “spiritual friends”
Fellowship activities like potluck dinners, game nights, outdoor worship services, and holiday activities
Service activities like serving meals at the homeless shelter, working with Habitat For Humanity and clean up projects
Mennonite Youth Fellowship – our youth keep busy meeting together, doing service projects and fund-raising for the next big Mennonite get together
Monthly women’s meetings including fellowship, Bible study and service projects
Translation of the New Testament into the Tai Dam language by Ha and La Baccam (completed); now working on the Old Testament
Summer Bible School
Active support of worldwide Mennonite relief and mission services

Sunday Morning Schedule

Education Hour starts at 9:30 a.m. We offer classes for all ages. Our
youth (Mennonite Youth Fellowship or MYF) have their own comfy room
downstairs.

Fellowship Time comes next at 10:20 a.m. Get some coffee or tea and
chat with our friendly folks. You just might get an invitation to lunch!

Worship begins at 10:40 a.m. Four-part a cappella singing is our favorite
singing style but we often have praise and worship music as well. Every
Sunday you’ll hear scripture read or dramatized and a sermon which
applies it to daily living. And we always have something special for
children. As to attire, some people come dressed up; others don’t.

Come visit our unique sanctuary: a geodesic dome with A-frame additions. Our building is on the corner of Madison Avenue and 56^th Street – two blocks east of the Merle Hay Mall and 1.2 miles south of Interstate 80.